Question about temptation

grampster · Nov 23, 2019

I became a born again Christian around 40 years ago. First a little background. I was raised a Roman Catholic (RC), but walked away from Roman Catholicism a long time ago for a number of reasons. Though I'm sure I retain some of the guilt and doctrine I was trained up in. Even though RC declares Jesus as Lord, I began to have many problems with many of the traditions of RC. Though I do not bash RC. I do not attend any church nor hold to any particular denomination of Christianity. I read the bible prayerfully for direction and I pray each day, often. Over a long time I've tried to live my life closer to the Lord, and I mean it has taken a long time for that, and my journey is not finished. I totally believe as the Creed says. I believe the bible to be absolutely true, inspired by the Lord, and it's meaning is able to be discerned by anyone who repents and believes in salvation by Faith in Christ and who listens to what the Holy Spirit whispers in ones ear. I believe that translation of the bible has not changed anything as the Holy Spirit provides discernment to the believer from the Word when it's needed no matter the language nor the times. I've read many Christian books over the years and have been involved in bible studies etc. etc. I have my faults and and totally understand our sinful nature in the flesh. I am reminded of that struggle between the Spirit and the flesh almost daily.

Here's my question/quandary: It seems whenever I feel particularly close to the Lord through daily prayer and conversation with the Lord it seems like I become more tempted to fall into my old bad habits which I abhor. I am sort of beginning to believe that Satan takes that comfort and tramples on it with lies, and I find reasons why my habits are "really not all that bad." There are times where I am utterly and comfortably in the hands of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit, yet I have given in to those thoughts and deeds from time to time even knowing that I have rejected them and repented of them. Part of one of my daily prayers contains Psalm 19:12-14. I repeat the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's prayer during waking hours. I thoroughly believe in salvation being a permanent state as long as one doesn't outright reject Christ or blaspheme the Holy Spirit which I think which is rejecting or denying the Holy Spirit. How in the world does a Christian seem to give in to sin? I believe that He who is in me is more powerful than he who is in the world, yet even knowing, believing that, I succumb to that which I don't want to. Paul speaks of doing what he ought not and not doing what he ought. Then asks who can save me from that. He answers that by naming Jesus as Savior. The Word also speaks of dogs going back to eat their vomit. A catholic priest threw me out of his office many years ago when I was first trying to understand what was going on in my life at the beginning of my journey shortly after becoming born again. I was nearly 40 at the time. I'm 76 now. I wanted to be baptized as an adult by full immersion and he, the priest, was horrified by that.

I'm not sure that anyone can answer my quandary. I am equally sure that if I went to various and sundry denominations I'd get all sorts of different answers. My answer to myself is to say that I will not let this get me down when it happens. I will not let it make me as I used to be. I will continue to pray and speak with my Lord and Savior morning day and night while I struggle with the guilt of giving in from time to time. I guess I just would like one or a few other Christian believers to say they understand and I'm not alone in this. I know giving in is not right, but I do. I think at those times there is no reason why the Lord would love me or listen to me, but I tell Him that maybe I'm like the woman who went before the judge and badgered and badgered the judge finally listened to her and I feel forgiven; so I continue to repent and to pray. Scripture says somewhere that God does not remember our sins. I believe that, and it is my hope. My problem is that I can't seem to forget and forgive myself.

Rebecca4Christ · Nov 23, 2019

grampster said:
I became a born again Christian around 40 years ago. First a little background. I was raised a Roman Catholic (RC), but walked away from Roman Catholicism a long time ago for a number of reasons. Though I'm sure I retain some of the guilt and doctrine I was trained up in. Even though RC declares Jesus as Lord, I began to have many problems with many of the traditions of RC. Though I do not bash RC. I do not attend any church nor hold to any particular denomination of Christianity. I read the bible prayerfully for direction and I pray each day, often. Over a long time I've tried to live my life closer to the Lord, and I mean it has taken a long time for that, and my journey is not finished. I totally believe as the Creed says. I believe the bible to be absolutely true, inspired by the Lord, and it's meaning is able to be discerned by anyone who repents and believes in salvation by Faith in Christ and who listens to what the Holy Spirit whispers in ones ear. I believe that translation of the bible has not changed anything as the Holy Spirit provides discernment to the believer from the Word when it's needed no matter the language nor the times. I've read many Christian books over the years and have been involved in bible studies etc. etc. I have my faults and and totally understand our sinful nature in the flesh. I am reminded of that struggle between the Spirit and the flesh almost daily.

Here's my question/quandary: It seems whenever I feel particularly close to the Lord through daily prayer and conversation with the Lord it seems like I become more tempted to fall into my old bad habits which I abhor. I am sort of beginning to believe that Satan takes that comfort and tramples on it with lies, and I find reasons why my habits are "really not all that bad." There are times where I am utterly and comfortably in the hands of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit, yet I have given in to those thoughts and deeds from time to time even knowing that I have rejected them and repented of them. Part of one of my daily prayers contains Psalm 19:12-14. I repeat the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's prayer during waking hours. I thoroughly believe in salvation being a permanent state as long as one doesn't outright reject Christ or blaspheme the Holy Spirit which I think which is rejecting or denying the Holy Spirit. How in the world does a Christian seem to give in to sin? I believe that He who is in me is more powerful than he who is in the world, yet even knowing, believing that, I succumb to that which I don't want to. Paul speaks of doing what he ought not and not doing what he ought. Then asks who can save me from that. He answers that by naming Jesus as Savior. The Word also speaks of dogs going back to eat their vomit. A catholic priest threw me out of his office many years ago when I was first trying to understand what was going on in my life at the beginning of my journey shortly after becoming born again. I was nearly 40 at the time. I'm 76 now. I wanted to be baptized as an adult by full immersion and he, the priest, was horrified by that.

I'm not sure that anyone can answer my quandary. I am equally sure that if I went to various and sundry denominations I'd get all sorts of different answers. My answer to myself is to say that I will not let this get me down when it happens. I will not let it make me as I used to be. I will continue to pray and speak with my Lord and Savior morning day and night while I struggle with the guilt of giving in from time to time. I guess I just would like one or a few other Christian believers to say they understand and I'm not alone in this. I know giving in is not right, but I do. I think at those times there is no reason why the Lord would love me or listen to me, but I tell Him that maybe I'm like the woman who went before the judge and badgered and badgered the judge finally listened to her and I feel forgiven; so I continue to repent and to pray. Scripture says somewhere that God does not remember our sins. I believe that, and it is my hope. My problem is that I can't seem to forget and forgive myself.

I believe all of us who are born again struggle with this.I remind myself of just what you mentioned about Paul,often.
I also think there is a purpose for it.It keeps us humble,and reminds us that apart from Christ,we are just filthy rags.If a believers walk was easy,we would tend to somehow become prideful in it.Every temptation we wrestle with,calls us to lean on our Saviour and remember God is faithful and just to forgive though we certainly don't deserve it.For me, each failure brings me closer to my redeemer.
And,it happens daily!

Jeshu · Nov 23, 2019

Temptation has to do with unfaithful love living in our hearts. It is there that the tempter gets us. So each time you are close to Jesus, unfaithful love in you draws you away again, for satan knows he can do that, and God wants to show you where the problem lays.

i find that unfaithful love is akin to the great prostitute herself and is impossible to get rid of in our own ability. Explore your unfaithful to God times with the word of God so Jesus can set you free with His loving truth. i know that self effort is useless against unfaithful love, only the truth of God's love in Christ can redeem us from it.

That faithfulness may overtake unfaithfulness in every respect is the goal of our existence so we praise the Lord with all of our being.

i found in my life that sin keeps tempting me away from God, i suppose the very flesh i wear is cursed with unfaithfulness, how on earth can i hope to be freed from it on this side of the grave? i don't think that is possible.

His grace is sufficient though.

Peace.

AvgJoe · Nov 23, 2019

grampster said:
I became a born again Christian around 40 years ago. First a little background. I was raised a Roman Catholic (RC), but walked away from Roman Catholicism a long time ago for a number of reasons. Though I'm sure I retain some of the guilt and doctrine I was trained up in. Even though RC declares Jesus as Lord, I began to have many problems with many of the traditions of RC. Though I do not bash RC. I do not attend any church nor hold to any particular denomination of Christianity. I read the bible prayerfully for direction and I pray each day, often. Over a long time I've tried to live my life closer to the Lord, and I mean it has taken a long time for that, and my journey is not finished. I totally believe as the Creed says. I believe the bible to be absolutely true, inspired by the Lord, and it's meaning is able to be discerned by anyone who repents and believes in salvation by Faith in Christ and who listens to what the Holy Spirit whispers in ones ear. I believe that translation of the bible has not changed anything as the Holy Spirit provides discernment to the believer from the Word when it's needed no matter the language nor the times. I've read many Christian books over the years and have been involved in bible studies etc. etc. I have my faults and and totally understand our sinful nature in the flesh. I am reminded of that struggle between the Spirit and the flesh almost daily.

Here's my question/quandary: It seems whenever I feel particularly close to the Lord through daily prayer and conversation with the Lord it seems like I become more tempted to fall into my old bad habits which I abhor. I am sort of beginning to believe that Satan takes that comfort and tramples on it with lies, and I find reasons why my habits are "really not all that bad." There are times where I am utterly and comfortably in the hands of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit, yet I have given in to those thoughts and deeds from time to time even knowing that I have rejected them and repented of them. Part of one of my daily prayers contains Psalm 19:12-14. I repeat the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's prayer during waking hours. I thoroughly believe in salvation being a permanent state as long as one doesn't outright reject Christ or blaspheme the Holy Spirit which I think which is rejecting or denying the Holy Spirit. How in the world does a Christian seem to give in to sin? I believe that He who is in me is more powerful than he who is in the world, yet even knowing, believing that, I succumb to that which I don't want to. Paul speaks of doing what he ought not and not doing what he ought. Then asks who can save me from that. He answers that by naming Jesus as Savior. The Word also speaks of dogs going back to eat their vomit. A catholic priest threw me out of his office many years ago when I was first trying to understand what was going on in my life at the beginning of my journey shortly after becoming born again. I was nearly 40 at the time. I'm 76 now. I wanted to be baptized as an adult by full immersion and he, the priest, was horrified by that.

I'm not sure that anyone can answer my quandary. I am equally sure that if I went to various and sundry denominations I'd get all sorts of different answers. My answer to myself is to say that I will not let this get me down when it happens. I will not let it make me as I used to be. I will continue to pray and speak with my Lord and Savior morning day and night while I struggle with the guilt of giving in from time to time. I guess I just would like one or a few other Christian believers to say they understand and I'm not alone in this. I know giving in is not right, but I do. I think at those times there is no reason why the Lord would love me or listen to me, but I tell Him that maybe I'm like the woman who went before the judge and badgered and badgered the judge finally listened to her and I feel forgiven; so I continue to repent and to pray. Scripture says somewhere that God does not remember our sins. I believe that, and it is my hope. My problem is that I can't seem to forget and forgive myself.

Even Jesus faced the temptations that are common to all of us, so we know that all Christians are faced with temptations, and I'd imagine that, everyone, gives in to from time to time, whether they admit it or not. I do better now, than I did 10, 20 and 30 years ago, but I still have along way to go.

Maybe the following will be helpful to you:

Aussie Pete · Nov 24, 2019

grampster said:
I became a born again Christian around 40 years ago. First a little background. I was raised a Roman Catholic (RC), but walked away from Roman Catholicism a long time ago for a number of reasons. Though I'm sure I retain some of the guilt and doctrine I was trained up in. Even though RC declares Jesus as Lord, I began to have many problems with many of the traditions of RC. Though I do not bash RC. I do not attend any church nor hold to any particular denomination of Christianity. I read the bible prayerfully for direction and I pray each day, often. Over a long time I've tried to live my life closer to the Lord, and I mean it has taken a long time for that, and my journey is not finished. I totally believe as the Creed says. I believe the bible to be absolutely true, inspired by the Lord, and it's meaning is able to be discerned by anyone who repents and believes in salvation by Faith in Christ and who listens to what the Holy Spirit whispers in ones ear. I believe that translation of the bible has not changed anything as the Holy Spirit provides discernment to the believer from the Word when it's needed no matter the language nor the times. I've read many Christian books over the years and have been involved in bible studies etc. etc. I have my faults and and totally understand our sinful nature in the flesh. I am reminded of that struggle between the Spirit and the flesh almost daily.

Here's my question/quandary: It seems whenever I feel particularly close to the Lord through daily prayer and conversation with the Lord it seems like I become more tempted to fall into my old bad habits which I abhor. I am sort of beginning to believe that Satan takes that comfort and tramples on it with lies, and I find reasons why my habits are "really not all that bad." There are times where I am utterly and comfortably in the hands of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit, yet I have given in to those thoughts and deeds from time to time even knowing that I have rejected them and repented of them. Part of one of my daily prayers contains Psalm 19:12-14. I repeat the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's prayer during waking hours. I thoroughly believe in salvation being a permanent state as long as one doesn't outright reject Christ or blaspheme the Holy Spirit which I think which is rejecting or denying the Holy Spirit. How in the world does a Christian seem to give in to sin? I believe that He who is in me is more powerful than he who is in the world, yet even knowing, believing that, I succumb to that which I don't want to. Paul speaks of doing what he ought not and not doing what he ought. Then asks who can save me from that. He answers that by naming Jesus as Savior. The Word also speaks of dogs going back to eat their vomit. A catholic priest threw me out of his office many years ago when I was first trying to understand what was going on in my life at the beginning of my journey shortly after becoming born again. I was nearly 40 at the time. I'm 76 now. I wanted to be baptized as an adult by full immersion and he, the priest, was horrified by that.

I'm not sure that anyone can answer my quandary. I am equally sure that if I went to various and sundry denominations I'd get all sorts of different answers. My answer to myself is to say that I will not let this get me down when it happens. I will not let it make me as I used to be. I will continue to pray and speak with my Lord and Savior morning day and night while I struggle with the guilt of giving in from time to time. I guess I just would like one or a few other Christian believers to say they understand and I'm not alone in this. I know giving in is not right, but I do. I think at those times there is no reason why the Lord would love me or listen to me, but I tell Him that maybe I'm like the woman who went before the judge and badgered and badgered the judge finally listened to her and I feel forgiven; so I continue to repent and to pray. Scripture says somewhere that God does not remember our sins. I believe that, and it is my hope. My problem is that I can't seem to forget and forgive myself.

Forgiving yourself is vital. There is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. It seems that promise gets overlooked by a lot of Christians. Forgiving is not easy, as you know. The link following is to an article about how to forgive. The writer got saved after his wife left him for their accountant. They cleaned out his business and took every cent. He knew that he had to forgive, but he did not know how. The principle can be applied to how we forgive ourselves also. It's helped me countless times.
Can you forgive from your heart? - Christian Life Frankston

ajcarey · Nov 24, 2019

I would seriously ask yourself before the Lord WHY you keep giving into whatever temptations you're giving into. Was the Lord not powerful enough to deliver you and were you not seeking Him in those moments? It's not that there's no hope and no forgiveness available if we sin, but according to God's whole counsel that is a question of IF- it should not be the norm, it should not be regular, and for someone who has a heart to please God sin SHOULD be a grief that is not considered acceptable nor justifiable- otherwise we are walking in darkness because we are accepting and suffering darkness to cleave to us (at the very least). The Apostle is clear in Romans, if you follow his train of thought all the way through, that those in Christ are not powerless to overcome sin; those who love Him are led by His Spirit, overcome temptation by the Spirit, and thus have dominion over the carnal nature or the flesh.

Romans 8:1-17: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

com7fy8 · Nov 24, 2019

You say you have not been sharing in a church, it seems. I trust that God uses our Christian brothers and sisters to help us. So, instead of giving a lot of attention to the possibility of problems in a church, be ready for loving with the ones who feed you good example. These will be in with the ones who are not God's way in relating in His love. But we need to be ready to love and be a good example for ones in church who are not right.

And share with the ones who have hope for the wrong people > love "hopes all things" > in 1 Corinthians 13:7.

Possibly you are living in isolation with yourself, so you can be so concerned about your own self. We need to care in prayer for others as ourselves, be all-loving. And this can bond us with others who are loving with hope for any and all people . . . like Jesus on the cross so suffered and died with hope for any evil person, at all >

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)

As we get strong in loving and forgiving, we also become strong against temptations. And weakness for pleasure makes us also weak for suffering pain, and for struggling. We need to be snuggling, with God, instead.

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

com7fy8 · Nov 24, 2019

grampster said:
My problem is that I can't seem to forget and forgive myself.

How about forgiving others?

If you are worried about having problems in church, may be you are not ready to forgive others. The ones who are really Christian are really forgiving in love and caring for others; so if you want to be able to connect with really Christian people, you will need to become generously forgiving and caring >

"with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love," (Ephesians 4:2)

I notice how God says we need to have "longsuffering" in sharing with children of God. To me, this means our Father knows that even with really right and loving people, these can fail and be wrong, at times; so even with our example people we need to have "longsuffering" ready > and be ready to help them, also.

None of us started off, making ourselves like this. Only our Heavenly Father is able to truly and deeply correct us to be and love like Jesus His Son. So, in case what you have tried has not worked, this can be because what we try to get our own selves to do does not work.

So we need to depend on You, O God; please encourage and bless Grampster how You are able to have Grampster experience Your love meaning of Your word.

grampster · Nov 24, 2019

Thank you for all of your advice and comments and direction. I've just sort of scanned through this so far this morning. Later today I'm going to read and absorb all that has been said in detail.

eleos1954 · Nov 24, 2019

grampster said:
I became a born again Christian around 40 years ago. First a little background. I was raised a Roman Catholic (RC), but walked away from Roman Catholicism a long time ago for a number of reasons. Though I'm sure I retain some of the guilt and doctrine I was trained up in. Even though RC declares Jesus as Lord, I began to have many problems with many of the traditions of RC. Though I do not bash RC. I do not attend any church nor hold to any particular denomination of Christianity. I read the bible prayerfully for direction and I pray each day, often. Over a long time I've tried to live my life closer to the Lord, and I mean it has taken a long time for that, and my journey is not finished. I totally believe as the Creed says. I believe the bible to be absolutely true, inspired by the Lord, and it's meaning is able to be discerned by anyone who repents and believes in salvation by Faith in Christ and who listens to what the Holy Spirit whispers in ones ear. I believe that translation of the bible has not changed anything as the Holy Spirit provides discernment to the believer from the Word when it's needed no matter the language nor the times. I've read many Christian books over the years and have been involved in bible studies etc. etc. I have my faults and and totally understand our sinful nature in the flesh. I am reminded of that struggle between the Spirit and the flesh almost daily.

Here's my question/quandary: It seems whenever I feel particularly close to the Lord through daily prayer and conversation with the Lord it seems like I become more tempted to fall into my old bad habits which I abhor. I am sort of beginning to believe that Satan takes that comfort and tramples on it with lies, and I find reasons why my habits are "really not all that bad." There are times where I am utterly and comfortably in the hands of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit, yet I have given in to those thoughts and deeds from time to time even knowing that I have rejected them and repented of them. Part of one of my daily prayers contains Psalm 19:12-14. I repeat the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's prayer during waking hours. I thoroughly believe in salvation being a permanent state as long as one doesn't outright reject Christ or blaspheme the Holy Spirit which I think which is rejecting or denying the Holy Spirit. How in the world does a Christian seem to give in to sin? I believe that He who is in me is more powerful than he who is in the world, yet even knowing, believing that, I succumb to that which I don't want to. Paul speaks of doing what he ought not and not doing what he ought. Then asks who can save me from that. He answers that by naming Jesus as Savior. The Word also speaks of dogs going back to eat their vomit. A catholic priest threw me out of his office many years ago when I was first trying to understand what was going on in my life at the beginning of my journey shortly after becoming born again. I was nearly 40 at the time. I'm 76 now. I wanted to be baptized as an adult by full immersion and he, the priest, was horrified by that.

I'm not sure that anyone can answer my quandary. I am equally sure that if I went to various and sundry denominations I'd get all sorts of different answers. My answer to myself is to say that I will not let this get me down when it happens. I will not let it make me as I used to be. I will continue to pray and speak with my Lord and Savior morning day and night while I struggle with the guilt of giving in from time to time. I guess I just would like one or a few other Christian believers to say they understand and I'm not alone in this. I know giving in is not right, but I do. I think at those times there is no reason why the Lord would love me or listen to me, but I tell Him that maybe I'm like the woman who went before the judge and badgered and badgered the judge finally listened to her and I feel forgiven; so I continue to repent and to pray. Scripture says somewhere that God does not remember our sins. I believe that, and it is my hope. My problem is that I can't seem to forget and forgive myself.

well ... I think it is this ... we can not forgive ourselves ... we can and should forgive others

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Only Christ can forgive. We are forgiven for Christs sake.

Where we struggle is realizing He is quick to forgive ... and we have difficulty at times ... accepting His forgiveness and carry around guilt ... and therefore become anxious about it.

so we need to give Him our anxieties (of guilt) as well

1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 8:12
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

Isaiah 43:25
“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

We will remember our past sin ... but even more so ... remember He has forgiven us and we can be thankful and know they have been forgiven and moved forward. So ... what we are to "forget" is the guilt of our sin and are to be thankful for His forgiveness and rest in that.

Philippians 3:13
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

We live in His mercy every day .. and every day is a new day.

Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 107:1
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

When you have given your sin to the Lord ... it's gone and He don't remember it.

Praise Him for that ... and rest in that ;o)

May the Lord bring peace to your heart and mind always. Amen.

FutureAndAHope · Nov 24, 2019

grampster said:
I became a born again Christian around 40 years ago. First a little background. I was raised a Roman Catholic (RC), but walked away from Roman Catholicism a long time ago for a number of reasons. Though I'm sure I retain some of the guilt and doctrine I was trained up in. Even though RC declares Jesus as Lord, I began to have many problems with many of the traditions of RC. Though I do not bash RC. I do not attend any church nor hold to any particular denomination of Christianity. I read the bible prayerfully for direction and I pray each day, often. Over a long time I've tried to live my life closer to the Lord, and I mean it has taken a long time for that, and my journey is not finished. I totally believe as the Creed says. I believe the bible to be absolutely true, inspired by the Lord, and it's meaning is able to be discerned by anyone who repents and believes in salvation by Faith in Christ and who listens to what the Holy Spirit whispers in ones ear. I believe that translation of the bible has not changed anything as the Holy Spirit provides discernment to the believer from the Word when it's needed no matter the language nor the times. I've read many Christian books over the years and have been involved in bible studies etc. etc. I have my faults and and totally understand our sinful nature in the flesh. I am reminded of that struggle between the Spirit and the flesh almost daily.

Here's my question/quandary: It seems whenever I feel particularly close to the Lord through daily prayer and conversation with the Lord it seems like I become more tempted to fall into my old bad habits which I abhor. I am sort of beginning to believe that Satan takes that comfort and tramples on it with lies, and I find reasons why my habits are "really not all that bad." There are times where I am utterly and comfortably in the hands of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit, yet I have given in to those thoughts and deeds from time to time even knowing that I have rejected them and repented of them. Part of one of my daily prayers contains Psalm 19:12-14. I repeat the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's prayer during waking hours. I thoroughly believe in salvation being a permanent state as long as one doesn't outright reject Christ or blaspheme the Holy Spirit which I think which is rejecting or denying the Holy Spirit. How in the world does a Christian seem to give in to sin? I believe that He who is in me is more powerful than he who is in the world, yet even knowing, believing that, I succumb to that which I don't want to. Paul speaks of doing what he ought not and not doing what he ought. Then asks who can save me from that. He answers that by naming Jesus as Savior. The Word also speaks of dogs going back to eat their vomit. A catholic priest threw me out of his office many years ago when I was first trying to understand what was going on in my life at the beginning of my journey shortly after becoming born again. I was nearly 40 at the time. I'm 76 now. I wanted to be baptized as an adult by full immersion and he, the priest, was horrified by that.

I'm not sure that anyone can answer my quandary. I am equally sure that if I went to various and sundry denominations I'd get all sorts of different answers. My answer to myself is to say that I will not let this get me down when it happens. I will not let it make me as I used to be. I will continue to pray and speak with my Lord and Savior morning day and night while I struggle with the guilt of giving in from time to time. I guess I just would like one or a few other Christian believers to say they understand and I'm not alone in this. I know giving in is not right, but I do. I think at those times there is no reason why the Lord would love me or listen to me, but I tell Him that maybe I'm like the woman who went before the judge and badgered and badgered the judge finally listened to her and I feel forgiven; so I continue to repent and to pray. Scripture says somewhere that God does not remember our sins. I believe that, and it is my hope. My problem is that I can't seem to forget and forgive myself.

I don't know whether you have watched the move Finding Nemo, if you have "Just keep swimming". i.e. keep moving forward.

None of us are perfect, we all need the LORD's forgiveness. Just keep trying to keep sin at bay. Don't let it drag you down, focus on the LORD.

Cclun · Nov 26, 2019

grampster said:
I became a born again Christian around 40 years ago. First a little background. I was raised a Roman Catholic (RC), but walked away from Roman Catholicism a long time ago for a number of reasons. Though I'm sure I retain some of the guilt and doctrine I was trained up in. Even though RC declares Jesus as Lord, I began to have many problems with many of the traditions of RC. Though I do not bash RC. I do not attend any church nor hold to any particular denomination of Christianity. I read the bible prayerfully for direction and I pray each day, often. Over a long time I've tried to live my life closer to the Lord, and I mean it has taken a long time for that, and my journey is not finished. I totally believe as the Creed says. I believe the bible to be absolutely true, inspired by the Lord, and it's meaning is able to be discerned by anyone who repents and believes in salvation by Faith in Christ and who listens to what the Holy Spirit whispers in ones ear. I believe that translation of the bible has not changed anything as the Holy Spirit provides discernment to the believer from the Word when it's needed no matter the language nor the times. I've read many Christian books over the years and have been involved in bible studies etc. etc. I have my faults and and totally understand our sinful nature in the flesh. I am reminded of that struggle between the Spirit and the flesh almost daily.

Here's my question/quandary: It seems whenever I feel particularly close to the Lord through daily prayer and conversation with the Lord it seems like I become more tempted to fall into my old bad habits which I abhor. I am sort of beginning to believe that Satan takes that comfort and tramples on it with lies, and I find reasons why my habits are "really not all that bad." There are times where I am utterly and comfortably in the hands of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit, yet I have given in to those thoughts and deeds from time to time even knowing that I have rejected them and repented of them. Part of one of my daily prayers contains Psalm 19:12-14. I repeat the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's prayer during waking hours. I thoroughly believe in salvation being a permanent state as long as one doesn't outright reject Christ or blaspheme the Holy Spirit which I think which is rejecting or denying the Holy Spirit. How in the world does a Christian seem to give in to sin? I believe that He who is in me is more powerful than he who is in the world, yet even knowing, believing that, I succumb to that which I don't want to. Paul speaks of doing what he ought not and not doing what he ought. Then asks who can save me from that. He answers that by naming Jesus as Savior. The Word also speaks of dogs going back to eat their vomit. A catholic priest threw me out of his office many years ago when I was first trying to understand what was going on in my life at the beginning of my journey shortly after becoming born again. I was nearly 40 at the time. I'm 76 now. I wanted to be baptized as an adult by full immersion and he, the priest, was horrified by that.

I'm not sure that anyone can answer my quandary. I am equally sure that if I went to various and sundry denominations I'd get all sorts of different answers. My answer to myself is to say that I will not let this get me down when it happens. I will not let it make me as I used to be. I will continue to pray and speak with my Lord and Savior morning day and night while I struggle with the guilt of giving in from time to time. I guess I just would like one or a few other Christian believers to say they understand and I'm not alone in this. I know giving in is not right, but I do. I think at those times there is no reason why the Lord would love me or listen to me, but I tell Him that maybe I'm like the woman who went before the judge and badgered and badgered the judge finally listened to her and I feel forgiven; so I continue to repent and to pray. Scripture says somewhere that God does not remember our sins. I believe that, and it is my hope. My problem is that I can't seem to forget and forgive myself.

Sounds like you are fully aware of your struggle and is repentant towards It. As christians as long as we live here on this earth there will always be struggle, and from time to time we would fail and succumb to temptation like Paul did in Romans 7. But as long as we do not sin habitually and deliberately, God promises he will forgive us. As a matter of fact Romans 8 says there is "NO condemnation" in Christ because his blood has already washed away all of our sins. It is a very freeing thought indeed! Keep staying close to him and obeying him and honor him in your daily living. The enemy wants to take you down, and It is very important to stay alert and be on guard of the temptation that are there.

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